Advertisement
Published: February 1st 2007
Edit Blog Post
Hello Again!
I spent last weekend in Amsterdam and it was a fantastic time!!! It is definately an interesting city with lots to see! 9 of us from the exchange program hopped on an overnight bus and travelled the 8 hours to Amsterdam. The bus ride was long and the sleep not so comfortable, but it was a good way to travel because you go overnight so you don't waste any of your day travelling. We got to Amsterdam at about 6:30 a.m. so we just killed some time by sitting in a cute cafe having breakfast until everything opened. We then headed to the Anne Frank house, but I didn't go in because I had already been in it a couple of years ago- but it is definately a must see if you go to Amsterdam. Then we just walked around the city and took in the beautiful scenery. The canals and houses are beautiful. We checked out some monumuments including the monument made to honour the homosexuals who were persecuted during the war. Then it was on to some shopping. of course at this point the guys in the group split from the girls and went to a
The Homosexual Monument
This was a monument made to commemorate all the homosexuals who were persecuted during the war. It is made in a triange shape because the homosexuals in concentration camps had to wear a pink triangle showing they were gay. "cafe"- and I am sure you all know what I mean by this as it is Amsterdam. It is absoultely crazy. They have these cafes there taht sell marajuana and you can just roll it up and smoke it right there. It is bazaar. They also sell an assortment of space cakes and hash cakes. Fun times I guess, even though I opted not to participate. So anyway, back to shopping. We went to this huge outdoor market that was right by our hostel. It runs all teh way down one of the main streets and is open 6 days a week. You can get everything at this market- shoes, clothes, food, even toiletries. It was quite neat. We also tried these little flat waffles things that are popular in Amsterdam- I can't remember what they are called but it is two thin waffles with like a maple syrup in side- they were good, but very sweet. Another favourite food in Amsterdam is fries with mayo and ketchup. They have stands everywhere that sell a paper cup of fries smothered in mayo and ketchup. SO disgusting!!!! I just went for the fries and ketchup minus the mayo.
Ok, moving
On the bus
Me and Laura on the night bus to Amsterdam. She slept better than anyone- must have been the pink mask. hahaha. on- that night we went to a really nice japanese restaurant and had a great supper and then did our own little pub crawl in Rembrant square. This is a famous square in Amstedam filled with pubs, cafes, clubs, and restaurants.
The next day we went to the Riksmuseum which was AMAZING. We did an audio tour which was good because it gives a lot of detail about what you are looking at so it made it much more interesting. Here we saw Rembrants famous painting- Nightwatch!!! We then continued on to the Heinken Experience where you go on a tour of the old Brewery, learn about how the beer is made and take part in a bunch of fun games and activities. You also get three beers along the tour and a free gift at the end- well worth the 10 euros you pay to get in!!! By this time we were all starving so we went to a cute little Italian place called Pinnochio- but wow this was the longest dinner of my life. The service was so slow- their attitude in Europe towards the service industry certaintly isn't the same as at home. They are much more
laid back here- not neccesarily a bad thing- just very different.
On our last day in Amsterdam we had a nice lunch, did some more walking around admiring the city, shopped and of course went to see the Red Light District!!! I know everyone has heard of the Red Light District, but when you see it you are like wow- this actually is real. It is actually quite shocking and a little funny. But do not laugh or take pics while you are there- this is a big no no!!!
So all in all it was a great trip- Amsterdam is definately a must see city and we had a great time. We hopped back on the bus and did another overnight trip back to Rouen. It was nice to be back, but I will only be here a few days and then I am off to Geneva and Chamonix to ski in the French Alps. I am very excited and I will post soon about that excursion.
Take Care
Lindsay
Advertisement
Tot: 0.06s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 10; qc: 47; dbt: 0.0352s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb
Ashlee
non-member comment
I'll try this again
This has to be the second or third time that I've tried to post a comment. And, I'm not sure that it's ever made it through. It dosn't appear so. Anyways! It's been great to read about your trip to Amsterdam. Looking at your pics puts me right back there and I miss it. You're a good story-teller Lindz. I look forward to the rest!